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Nov. 10, 1925. v 1,560,735

E. A. RUSSELL FmIBLE METALLIC PIPE CUNNECTION Filed llay 25. 1921 2Sheets-Sheet 1 E. A. RUSSELL.

FLEXiBLE METALLIC PIPE CONNECTION Filed May 25. 192] 2 Sheets-Sheet 2iii i atentcd Nov. "ltl,

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EDWARD A. RUSSELL, or cnroaoo, nznrnors, assronon TO varon can. HEATINGCOMEANY, inc, or onions-o, rumors, a oonrona'rron on new YORK,

FLEXIBLE ranfrnnnrc I'IPE CONNECTION.

Application filed May 25,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Enuunn A. RUSSELL, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Flexible hftetallic Pipe Connections, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to a flexible nictallic conduit or pipe connection,and the primary object of the invention is to provide a structure ofthis type suitable for use in connecting the train pipes on adjacentcars of a railway train. The invention will be described as applied tothe coupling or con nection between the steam train pipes of a railwaytrain, the invention having special utility in this relation. it shouldbe understood, however, that the novel and improved constructionsconstituting my invention may be employed for making the couplingbetween the air train pipes on railway trains or for affording aconnection between any two pipes where the flexibility of suchconnection, capacity for withstanding high internal fluid pressure andcase and convenience in making the coupling between the pipes arerequisites.

The pipe connection herein tescribcd and claiincd is somewhat similar tothat disclosed in the copending application of Laurence (%llll(fl filedJuly 26, 1920, Serial No. 898,- 882. It is one of the objec of theinvention to prowide certain improven'ients upon said Gilliclis pipeconnection, the nature of which will be hereinafter set forth.

The invention consists in the novel arrangements, constructions anddevices to be hereinafter describe; and claimed for car rying out theabove stated objects and such other incidental objects will be mentionedin connection with the following description of the preferredembodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a train pipe coupling orconnection cin aooying the prin ,7 .f iny in cnti is a View ine-.cvation.. with certain in section, of one of the universal used insaid pipe connection. 3 is a sectional view, on 503111.. r scale, takenon line S3 {t a fragmentary side 921, Serial No. 472,470.

a train pipe connection embodying my invention in a inodlfied forin.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the universaljoints of thepipe connection shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view, in perspective, of one of the ball members of thejoint shown in the preceding two figures, and

Fig. 7 is a view, in perspective, of the spring abutment forming part ofsaid joint.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several.figures of the drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the letters A, A designate thesteam train pipes on adjacent cars of a railway train, and B, B theangle cocks on the ends of the train pipes. The coupling between saidtrain pipes is con'iposed of two flexible metallic pipe connectionswhich are coupled together by the mating coupler members C, C. Thesecouplers may be of any ordinary type, such as are used for coupling thehoses ordinarily employed for making a connection between railway ourtrain pipes. The pipe connections between angle cock B and coupler C andangle cock B and coupler C are composed of universal joints D, E and D,E connected preferably by curved metal pipes F, F. The universal jointsD, D hang substantially vertically from the angle cocks. The universaloints E. E associated with couplers C, C are inclined slightly from thehorizontal. The universal joints D, E; D, E may be of like construction.This construction is illustrated in detail in ,Figs. 2 and 3.

The joint is composed of the following parts: is a conduit member'n'e'ferably formed with a threaded nipple 26 for engaging the adjacentelement of the coupling and at the other end with a ball 2'5". 28 is aconduit ineinber internally threaded as indicated at 29 and formed atthe other end with a ball 30. 31 is an intermediate con duit member,preferably cylindrical, adapted to receive the balls 2'? and 30. Theintermediate member 31 is formed at one end with a pair of projectinglugs 32 having threaded perforations to receive brass or bronze bushings33. 34 is a yoke having an annular portion 35 swiveled upon acylindrical portion 36 of member 25 and bearing against acircun'iferential shoulder 3'? formed on member 25. The yoke 3a isformed with a pair of diametrically arranged arms 38 pro vided withthreaded perforations through which extend pivot studs 89, the smoothends 40 of which project into and make a fairly close fit with thebushings 83.

The intervening member 31 of the joint is formed on its other end with apair of perforated lugs 41 at right angles to the lugs 38 and adapted toreceive pivot studs 42, the ends of which project into bushings 43arranged in recesses 44 in the ball portion 80 of member 28.

The joints between member 31 and balls 27 and are sealed by two gasketseach of which may consist of a single piece of suitable packing materialsuch as rubber or rubber composition, the gasket, in each case, beingpreferably, however, composed of two sections, one section 45 beingcomposed of a relatively hard rubber composition, such as Jenkinsmaterial, and the other, 46, being of softer, more resilient material,soft rubber for example. The gasket section 45 may be provided with ametallic armoring 47; This section of the gasket is formed with a curvedinner surface conforming to the outer face of the ball 27 or 30, as thecase may be. I Section 46 of the gasket is arranged back of and bearingagainst the gasket section 45, the gasket being held against balls 27,30 by means of a coiled spring 48 interposed between preferably conicalmetal washers 49 bearing upon the beveled inner 1 metal flexible pipeconnection between the train pipes on railroad cars to take the place ofthe rubber hoses commonly used has received considerable attention forsome time, a metallic connection for such purpose being highly desirablein view of the relatively high cost of rubber hoses and their lack ofdurability especially when used for making the connection between steamtrain pipes due to the deteriorating action ofthe steam on the rubber.The difiiculty has been, however, to obtain a metal pipe connectionwhich should be flexible when subject to high steam pressure,sufficiently durable to warrant their higher cost in comparison withrubber hoses, and composed of parts so articulated that the couplerswill be capable of such manipulation as to enable them to be readilycoupled and uncoupled. So far as durability is concerned, it will berealized that the articulated parts of the pipe connection used for thispurpose are subject to continual movement one upon the other through thevibrations of the railway cars and the constantly changing position ofone car with respect to. the other due to inequalities of the track. Asthe universal joints used in making a pipe connection of this characterare likely to be subjected to steam pressures up to one hundred poundsper square inch, or even more, the need for flexibility of theconnection when in service requires a system of articulation which willadmit of ease of movement of one part on the other even when theinternal pressure is high while maintaining a steam tight relationbetween the connected elements of the structure.

These requisites are combined in the flexible pipe connection hereinshown and described. The ball. members 25 and 28 are pivotally connectedwith the intermediate member 81 on axes at right angles to each other sothat a very considerable internal pressure has very little stiffeningeffect on the joint. The gaskets are arranged so that they are selfsealing under the pressure of the fluid passing through the joint.Spring 48 is designed merely to hold the gaskets in their normalposition'at such times as the pipe connection is not under steampressure. The conical form of the followers or washers 49 and thebeveling of the ends of the a gasket (the hard composition gasketsection is forced with a wedging action into the space between the innerwall of member 31 and the outer face of ball 27 or 30, as the case maybe. Then the inner section 46 of the gasket is made separately and ofsofter material, which is the preferred arrangement, the steampressureagainst thissecti ou of the gasket tends to spread it againstthe I inner wall of member 31 so as to prevent the steam from workingout along the outer surface'of the gasket. The swivel movement affordedby the rotary connection between yoke 34 and member 25 allows one partof the joint to be turned, axially, with respect to the other, with aminimum of wear on the parts engaged. This swiveling movement isimportant in order that the interlocking faces of the couplers G, C maybe brought into proper relation with each other. The conduit members 25,28, 30 are ordinarily made of cast iron. By providing bushings 33, 43for the pivot pins 39, 42 any looseness between the pins and the partsthey engage may be remedied by removing the bushings or pins or both ofthem and putting in new ones.

In Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 I have shown an expedient for holding thecoupling up from the track when the car is at the end of the train, forexample, so'that the hose coupler is not in its usual engagen'ient withthe mating coupler of an adjacent car. In this con struction the yokemember 34* is formed with a disk 51 against which is seated the end of acoiled spring 52 which surrounds the joint and bears at its other endagainst a disk 53 shown as. held in place on the ball member 28 by meansof studs 54: fixed in the latter. The disk 53 is formed with siots 55through which studs'fiet may be passed in assembling, the disk beingthen given a quarter turn until studs 5st seat in grooves 56 formed in aflange 5'7 011 the under side of the disk.

As shown in Fig. 4: both the upper universal joint D and the lower jointE are provided with the supporting springs 52, as above described. Itmay be suflicient, in some cases, to use the spring in' connection withonly one of these joints. The spring, it will be noted, tends because ofthe pressure exerted against discs 51, 53 to hold the parts of the jointfrom swiveling as well as from flexing on the pivotal connections.

I claim:

1. A flexible pipe connection con'iprising a pair of conduit members,one of which is formed with a ball adapted to project into the othermember, a gasket arranged to bear against the inner end of the ball andfreely slidable on said other member to maintain sealing contact withsaid i'nei'nbe'rs when the surface of the gasket against the ball wearsand a connecting element having a direct pivotal non-swivelingconnection with one of said members and rotatable on the other.

2. A flexible pipe connection comprising a pair of conduit members, oneof which is formed with a ball adapted to project into the other member,a asket ar 'anged to bear against the inner ent of the ball and freelyslidable on said other member to n'iaintain sealing contact with saidmembers when the surface of thegasketagainst the ball wears, one of saidmembers being formed with a circumferential shoulder, and a yo" eswivels-d on said last mentioned member and liiaving a directnon-swiveling connection with the other member.

A flexible pipe connection col'nprising a pair of conduit members, oneof which is formed with a ball adapted to project into the other member,a gasket arranged within the conduit formed by said members to seal thejoint between said members, and a connecting yoke swiveled on one ofsaid mem bers for movement about the longitudinal center line of thepipe connection and p11 -vided with pivot studs engaging the othermember.

at. A flexible pipe connection con'i nising a pair of conduit members,one of which is formed with a ball adapted to project into the othermember, a gasket arranged within the conduit formed by said members toseal the joint between said members, and a connecting yoke swiveledonone of said members and provided with pivot studs engaging the othermember, said last named member being provided with bushings to receivesaid stud-s.

5. A flexible pipe connection compris' a pair of conduit members, one ofwhich formed with a ball adapted to project the other member, a gasketarrang in the conduit formed by said members to seal the joint betweensaid members, one of said members being formed with a circumferentialshoulder and the other with diametrically arranged bushings, and a yokeswiveled against said shoulder an d provided with pivoted studsprojecting into said bushings.

6. A flexible pipe connection comprising a pair of conduit members, oneof which is formed with a ball adapted to project into the other member,agasket arranged to bear against the inner end of the ball and freelyslidable on said other member to maintain sealing contact with saidmembers when the surface of the gasket against the ball wears, aconnecting member having a dircc" pivotal fl w non-swiveling connectionwith one of said members and rotatable on the other and a spring whichtends to force the gasket into the space between said members.

7. A flexible pipe connection comprising a pair of conduit members oneof which is formed with a ball and the other with a cylindrical openinginto which the ball extends, a gasket within the latter member adaptedto be thrust against the inner end of the ball by fluid pressure in saidpipe connection to seal the joint between said members, said gasketbeing freely slidable in said cylindrical opening as the surface of thegasket against the ball wears and a connecting member having a directpivotal non-swiveling connection with one of said members and rotatableon the other.

8. A flexible pipe connection compris ng two conduit members and a thirdintervening conduit member with opp e ends of which the first membershave rail and socket connections, one of the first. n'icn'tioned conduitmembers being pivoted to the inter "ening member, and an elementconnecting the other of the first: n'ientionc'd conduit members with theintervening member which element has a swiveled engagement with one ofsaid members and a pivoted connection with the other on an axis at rightangles to the first named pivotal connection.

9. A flexible pipe connection comprising two conduit members formed withballs, an intervening conduit member into opposite ends of which theballs project, gaskets in th intervening member adapted to be thrustagainst said balls, pivot studs for pivoting one of the ball members tothe intervening member, a yoke swivele-d on the other ball member, andpivot studs on the yoke at right angels to the first named studs forengaging the intervening member.

10. A flexible pipe connection comprising two conduit members formedwith balls, an

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intervening conduit member provided at opposite ends with pairs ofperforated lugs, one pair of lugs being at right angles to the other,pivot studs extending through one pair of lugs and into the ball of oneof the first named members, a yoke swiveled on the other of said firstnamed members, pivot studs on said yoke extending into the other pair oflugs on the intervening memher, and gaskets in the intervening memberadapted to be thrust against said balls.

11. A. flexible pipe connection comprising two conduit members formedwith balls, an intervening conduit member provided at opposite endswith'pairs of perforated lugs, one pair of lugs being at right anglesto: the other, pivot studs extending through one pair of lugs and intothe ball of one of the first named members, said ball having removablebushings to provide bearings for said studs, a yoke swiveled to theother of said first named members, pivot studs on said yoke extendinginto the other pair of lugs on the intervening member, said lugs havingremovable bushings to provide bearings :torsaid studs, and gaskets inthe intervening member adapted to be thrust against said balls.

12. A flexible pipe connection comprising a pair of conduit members oneformed with a ball adapted to projectinto the other, and a gasket in theother made in two sections, one of which sections is of relatively hardmaterial and is adapted to be wedged between the ball and the wall of thother member, the other section being of more resilient material andarranged inwardly of the first section and adapted to be thrust againstthe same and against the wall of said other member.

13. In combination with the train pipe of a railway car and the trainpipe coupler, a flexible pipe connection between said train pipe andcoupler comprising a universal joint which hangs substantiallyvertically from the train pipe, a universal joint approximatelyhorizontal and associated with the coupler, and a curved pipe connectingsaid joints, each of said joints being composed of two conduit members,and an intervening conduit member with the opposite ends of which thefirst named members are connected by ball and socket connections and bypivotal connections, the axes of which latter are at right angles toeach other.

14. In combination with the train pipe of a railway car and the trainpipe coupler, a flexible pipe connection between said train pipe andcoupler comprising a universal joint which hangs substantiallyvertically from the train pipe, a universal joint approximatelyhorizontal and associated with the coupler, and a curved pipe connectingsaid joints, each of said joints being composedv of two conduit members,and an intervening conduit member with the opposite ends of which thefirst named members are connected by ball and socket connections and byJPlVOtcIl connections, the axes jofi which latter are at right angles toeach other, one of said first named conduit members having also aswiveled relation with the intervening member. v

15. In combination with the train pipe of a railway carv and the trainpipe coupler, a flexible pipe connection between said train pipe andcoupler comprising a universal joint composed of members having apivotal relation with each other, and a springwhich surrounds said jointso as to tend tohold said members in substantially their normalrelationship when said coupler is not engaged with a mating coupler. 16.In combination with the train pipe of a railway car and the train pipecoupler, a flexible pipe connection between said train pipe and couplercomprising a universal joint composed of a pair of conduit members andan intervening conduit member with which said first named members haveball and socket connections and also pivotal connections on axes atright angles to each.

other, discs associated with said first named members respectively, anda spring sur- 7 member and of a railway car and the train pipe coupler,

a flexible pipe connection between said train pipe and couplercomprising a universal joint composed of a pair of conduit membersformed with balls, an intervening conduit member into the ends of whichsaid balls extend, a yoke swiveled'on one of said first named memberspivoted to the intervening member and provided with a spring abutment,means for pivoting the other of said first named members to theintervening member, a spring abutment on said other member, and a springsurrounding ;the in tervening member and interposed between said springabutments. g 18. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ballmember, an interiorly cylindrical socket member and a gasket comprisingtwo annular sections, one of which is 1 arranged between the socket andinner end of the ball and is formed with a curved surface to fit theball, and the other is a sealing member of relatively soft materialwhich is held against the inner end of the first named section andagainst the socket by the fluid annular sections, one of which isarranged between the socket and inner end of the ball and is formed witha curved surface to fit the ball, and the other is a sealing member ofrelatively soft material of which is held against the inner end of thefirst named section and against the socket by the fluid pressure withinthe pipe joint, both sections being freely slidable in the socket tomaintain sealing contact with said members when the surface of the innersection against the ball wears, and a spring tending to force saidgasket toward said ball member.

20. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ball member, aninteriorly cylindrical socket member, a gasket comprising two annularsections, one of which is arranged between the socket and inner end ofthe ball and is formed with a curved surface to it the ball, and theother of which bears against the inner end of the first named sectionand against the socket, both sections being freely slidable in thesocket to maintain sealing contact with said members when the surface ofthe inner section against the ball wears, the inner section being formedwith its inner end beveled, a conical follower to bear against saidbeveled surface, and a spring to bear against said follower.

21. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ball member, aninteriorly cylin dr'cal socket member, a gasket comprising two annularsections, one of which is composed of relatively hard packing materialarranged between the socket and the inner end of the ball and is formedwith a curved surface to fit the ball, and the other of which iscomposed of relatively soft material and bears against the inner end ofthe first named section and against the socket, both sections beingfreely slidable in the socket to maintain sealing contact with saidmembers when the surface of the inner section against the ball wears.

22. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ball member, aninteriorly cylindrical socket member, a gasket comprising two annularsections, one of which is composed of relatively hard packing materialarranged between the socket and the inner end of the ball and isexteriorly armored and formed with an inner curve surface to fit theball, and the other of'which is composed of relatively soft material andbears against the inner end of the first named section and against thesocket, both sections being freely slidable in the socket to maintainsealing contact with said members when the surface of the inner sectionagainst the ball wears.

23. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ball member, aninteriorly cylindrical socket member, a gasket comprising two annularsections, one of which is composed of relatively hard packing materialarranged between the socket and the inner end of the ball and is formedwith a curved surface to fit the ball, and the other of which iscomposed of relatively soft material and bears against the inner end ofthe first named section and against the socket, both sections beingfreely slidable in the socket to maintain sealing contact with saidmembers when the surface of the inner section against the ball wears,the inner section being formed with its inner end beveled, a conicalfollower to bear against said beveled surface, and a spring to bearagainst said follower.

24. In a flexible pipe joint, the combination of a ball member, aninteriorly cylindrical socket member, and a gasket comprising twoannular sections, one of which is composed of relatively hard packingmaterial arranged between the socket and the inner end of the ball andis formed with a curved surface to fit the ball, and the other of whichis composed of relatively soft ma terial and bears against the inner endof the first named section and against the socket, both sections beingfreely slidable in the socket to maintain sealing contact with saidmembers when the surface of the inner section against the ball wears.

EDWARD A. RUSSELL.

